Utah County has voted to increase property taxes for the first time in more than two decades.
Dozens of people spoke against the plan during a six-hour meeting this week, but the commissioners said it was necessary to balance the budget and keep the county from cutting into its financial reserves, the Daily Herald reported.
The hike, which is the first in 23 years, is expected to bring in another $19.3 million to fund county services such as local elections and criminal prosecutions.
It is estimated the increase will cost the average homeowner about $83 more a year, in addition to the $123 in property taxes they already pay annually to the county.